Oliver Fisher 10k & 5k

Race Location
Milton Creek Country Park, Saffron Way, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 2EX

Race HQ
Race HQ will be located on the large grass area next to the car park.

Timings on race day
Race HQ & Registration opens: 07:30
Race Director's Briefing on the start line: 08:50
Race Start (10k & 5k): 09:00
Family Fun Run Start: 11:15

Bag Drop
You are welcome to leave your bag at the unmanned baggage drop at Race HQ, however, this is done at your own risk and discretion. The team will not handle your bags and you will be responsible for labelling them clearly.

Facilities
Unfortunately, there are no changing facilities available at this site so we recommend arriving ready to run!

Parking
There is a small amount of parking on site but there is ample parking on the surrounding roads of the park.

Toilets
There are public toilets situated close to Race HQ and there will be extra portable toilets available. Please note, there will be no toilets available on the course. 

Headphones
Only bone conducting headphones are permitted at this event.

About the Oliver Fisher Special Baby Care Trust
This wonderful charity supports the Neonatal Unit at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham. Whilst the unit receives its standard funding via the NHS, as is right and to be expected, the charity tops up these funds to push the care provision to a gold standard.

Over 1200 babies pass through the doors on the unit in a single year and the charity raises funds not only in order to buy the highly specialised and sophisticated equipment for the care of premature and poorly babies but also their families. The Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust provides the resources needed to make time spent on the unit more comfortable and well-supported for families and their babies. For example, funds can contribute to supplies for the family rooms and new chairs next to incubators.

The charity, first registered in 1985, got its name from Dr Oliver Fisher who was a pioneering consultant whose work led to the founding of The Special Care Baby Unit as it was at All Saints Hospital. With the hospital then being decommissioned in the 1990's, the Unit moved to its new home with a brand new name, The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit, in July 1999. The charity works within the unit and the community to raise funds to continue their work and relationship to this day, always with the aim to continually improve care of premature and poorly babies.
 

Fundraising for the Oliver Fisher Trust:
Whilst fundraising is not a requirement of partipation, we know that many of our runners would like to do so. Last year's fundraising was an unmitigated success with over £18,400 raised in a single day. To put that sum in perspective, these are some examples of the costs involved in running the Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit...
An incubator: circa £25,000
A cot bed: between £3000 - £4000
A Neopuff system (breather support: circa £1000
If you are interested in fundraising for this remarkable charity, then you will have an opportunity to set up your fundraising target via JustGiving once you have completed your entry. 
 

The start & finish
The 10k & 5k start and finish in the same location and this is close to the Race HQ.

About the course
NEW for 2025 - we have the same great race but now, in a new fabulous location! Runners of all ablities will enjoy this course that takes place in the grounds of the gorgeous Milton Creek Country Park truly making this a course for all to enjoy. 

Starting at Milton Creek Country Park, the route follows the park paths on a winding route, crossing the historic Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway for a loop under Swale Way, returning back into the park for an out and back section before returning to the finish area. The 5km race consists of one lap whilst 10km runners will complete two laps with a small, extra looped section to make up the distance. There is just 56 metres of elevation over the 10km course.

Other route users
Please be aware that you are sharing the paths with other walkers, runners and cyclists, many of whom live locally. We ask that you race with care and remain courteous at all times.

Family Fun Run
The family run will take place after the main race has ended at 11:15 and it will be approximately 1 mile. 

While this race will not be chip timed, all runners will receive a medal. Race numbers are only available for collection on the day. Parents are responsible for collecting their children at the finish line. 

 

Recommended Kit & Footwear
Your favourite running shoes should be fine for this race. Please keep an eye on the forecast and dress appropriately for the conditions, bringing a spare set of clothes (and socks!) if needed.

Litter
Please do NOT drop litter. Bins will be provided, so please dispose of any litter correctly or take it home with you.

Water Stations
As well as a water station at the end of the race, there will be an additional water station for the 10k runners.
Whilst we will ensure that our water stations are well supplied, runners should ensure that they are fully hydrated and also consider carrying their own water.

Going Green
To help reduce the carbon footprint of this race, we would like to encourage all our runners to bring their own camel packs or reusable cups for this race. Our teams at the water stations will be happy to fill any receptacle that you might bring with you so that you stay hydrated and racing fit! If you are able to car share, then this would be wonderful!

Your route & marshals...
Your course will be clearly marked using large route arrows and directional cones, as well as being marshalled throughout. Please listen and obey all marshal instructions given. There will be a sweep marshal which will follow the last runner to make sure that no one is left on the route. All marshals will remain in place until stood down by the sweep marshal.

Spectators
We always welcome anyone that would like to cheer on our runners and join the good spirit of the race by lending their encouragement and support.

 

Medals & Prizes
There will be a bespoke medal awarded to all finishers along with a t-shirt.

Trophies for 1st, 2nd & 3rd male & female winners (both distances)
Trophies for age category winners (10k only) 

Weather permitting, the presentation will take place approximately 45 - 60 minutes after the first runner has crossed the finish line and when all the prize winners have arrived home.

Please listen for announcements from your Race Director.

Results
Live and provisional results will be available on the Nice Work website asap after the race. If you have any questions regarding the live results, please ensure that you have emailed this through to us by midday on the following Thursday. Any changes submitted after this time will not be included in the final results.